Articles in Category: White Papers

What sets one leader apart from another leader? Why do some leaders have an ability to motivate themselves and those around them to accomplish great things?

There are several factors that create success for a leader; however, Emotional Intelligence is being quickly rated among the top indicators. In the article "EQ vs. IQ - emotional intelligence, intelligence quotient", Cynthia L. Kemper states, “For those in leadership positions, emotional intelligence skills account for close to 90 percent of what distinguishes outstanding leaders from those judged as average.”

I find it interesting that when we hear the word “accountability”, we tend to cringe. What is it about this word Ithat elicits such a response? If I say, “Who are you accountable to?” to an executive, more often than not I get a strange look and long pause. Many seem to want to answer, “No one.” However, that is not the politically correct answer. The truth is, we are all accountable. This accountability only increases as a leader “moves up the ladder”.

As we develop and strengthen the leadership in our organizations, as well as our personal leadership development, we should be sure to include time and planning for “community focus.” More and more organizations have broadened their vision to include community service initiatives. Your career development plan should include the same goals for considering your involvement in your community. There are many ways to explore ‘community’, both inside and outside your organization and this can become a highlight for your experience and resume. Caretaking for your community can also contribute to your overall wellness and help you to develop as a confident professional.

Let’s start with a definition of what we mean by community focus. Wikipedia defines community a social unit of any size that shares common values. “Values” elicit our energy and emotion because they are principles that we deeply believe in. We should therefore invest our time and our support. In our career path, we sometimes get so busy with tasks that we forget to schedule time to “give back” and revisit our values. Finding time to serve a greater good can be easier than you think and the rewards for you can make a big difference.

Great leaders love and champion change…well, at least that’s what most business articles would have you believe. I believe that the question begs a more complex answer to provide true guidance. As managers, we can each “champion” change, what we need to explore is how to develop our personal skills and how this becomes part of our leadership journey.

So what do we mean by “championing change”? Change Champions are leaders selected and trained to manage the inevitable uncertainty that is bound to arise within your team when faced with a program of change. To consider your role, I will examine change at three core levels: Championing a Quality Culture for Change; Leading your Team through Change; and Your Role as a Change Champion.

Trust in leadership is on the decline. What is most concerning is that trust is the basis for all positive human interaction, either in the workplace or in our personal lives. Without trust collaboration and communication deteriorates, employees are less likely to bring innovative solutions or thoughts to the table, and productivity declines. All of this eventually leads to employees who are not engaged and a workplace that becomes toxic to be in.

The first question we should ask is, "Why is trust so important in an organization"? Consider this quote from Sissela Bok, author of Lying:

Trust is a social good to be protected just as much as the air we breathe or the water we drink. When it is damaged, the community as a whole suffers; and, when it is destroyed, societies falter and collapse…Trust and integrity are precious resources, easily squandered, hard to regain.

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